Working machine body managing system

ABSTRACT

For a machine controller ( 12 ) for controlling a machine ( 11 ) of an operating machine, a personal digital assistant (PDA) ( 14 ) which makes communications via a non-contact communications medium ( 15 ) such as in frared light or radio waves. This PDA ( 14 ) has, at least, an anti-theft protecting function based on verification of an identification code, an operation managing function for obtaining operation management data, and a machine monitoring display function for monitoring by displaying a machine condition. By use of the single PDA ( 14 ), at least the anti-theft protecting function, operation managing function, and the machine monitoring display function can be carried out in an integrated manner, therefore, time, labor and expenses required to install devices for each function can be reduced and handling thereof is not decentralized and can be easily carried out by the single PDA ( 14 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine management system foran operating machine, comprising a personal digital assistant(hereinafter, referred to as a “PDA”).

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Priorly, for anti-theft protection, for example, a method whereinan engine is enabled to start only by a specific key where an integratedcircuit (namely, IC) embedded in the key and a machine controllercommunicate, and a method wherein restrictions are removed by inputtinga secret identification number have been proposed.

[0003] In addition, for operation management data, a method whereininformation is sent back to a base station via a satellitecommunications network, and a method wherein information is stored in anIC memory embedded in an anti-theft protection key and is returned to abase station have been suggested.

[0004] Furthermore, for a machine condition monitoring display function,a method for a display using a liquid crystal panel or a mechanicalpointer has been generally employed.

[0005] And, these functions for anti-theft protection, operationmanagement, and machine monitoring display have been realized inseparate devices, respectively.

[0006] As such, it is necessary to install devices according to thefunctions, respectively, therefore, time, labor, and expenses requiredfor installing these devices are considerable, and handling thereofbecomes complicated.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, andit is an object of the present invention to provide a machine managementsystem for an operating machine which is achieved by integrating atleast an anti-theft protecting function, an operation managing function,and a machine monitoring display function.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A machine management system for an operating machine of thepresent invention comprises a communicable machine controller forcontrolling a machine of an operating machine, and a PDA which iscommunicable with this machine controller and has, by communicating withthe machine controller, at least an anti-theft protecting function basedon verification of an identification code, an operation managingfunction for obtaining operation management data, and a machinemonitoring display function for monitoring by displaying a machinecondition.

[0009] Thus, by this construction, at least the anti-theft protectingfunction, the operation managing function, and the machine monitoringdisplay function can be carried out in an integrated manner by use of asingle PDA, therefore, time, labor and expenses required to install thesame can be reduced and handling thereof is not decentralized and can beeasily carried out by a single PDA.

[0010] In addition, the machine management system for an operatingmachine of the present invention has a non-contact communications mediumas a communications medium between a machine controller and a PDA. And,by connecting the machine controller and PDA via the non-contactcommunications medium, the PDA can be easily installed withoutlimitations in wiring.

[0011] Furthermore, in the machine management system for an operatingmachine of the present invention, the operating machine has anoperator's cab, wherein the PDA becomes communicable with the machinecontroller by entrance of a machine operator who carries the PDA withhim/her into the operator's cab. Thereby, only by entrance of a machineoperator who carries the PDA with him/her into the operator's cab, thePDA and machine controller become communicable with each other, thustime and labor for attaching and detaching the PDA with respect to theoperator's cab can be saved.

[0012] In addition, in the machine management system for an operatingmachine of the present invention, the machine controller has a functionto start the operating machine only when an operator identification codetransmitted from the PDA by an operating machine operator isauthenticated. Thereby, since the operating machine is started after anoperator identification code transmitted from the operator's PDA isverified by a controller identification code that the machine controllerposses, theft, etc., by unauthorized machine operation of a person otherthan the operator can be prevented.

[0013] Furthermore, in the machine management system for an operatingmachine of the present invention, the PDA has a function to communicatewith a computer of a base station and obtains a modified operatoridentification code from the computer of the base station. Thereby,since a modification to a correct operator identification code cannot becarried out if the PDA is not connected to the computer of the basestation, unauthorized use of the PDA by copying the operatoridentification code can be prevented.

[0014] In addition, in the machine management system for an operatingmachine of the present invention, the machine controller has a functionto store operation management data collected from the machine andtransmit the same to the PDA, and the PDA has a function to transmit, ina communication to obtain a modified operator identification code fromthe computer of the base station, the operation management data of themachine received from the machine controller to the computer of the basestation.

[0015] Thereby, since the PDA must communicate with the computer of thebase station without fail for updating the operator identification code,the base station can, in this communication, securely obtain theoperation management data of the machine that the PDA has received fromthe machine controller.

[0016] Furthermore, in the machine management system for an operatingmachine of the present invention, the PDA can be carried with theoperation management data of the machine obtained from the machinecontroller. Thereby, since the operation management data of the machinethat the PDA has obtained from the machine controller can be returned tothe base station as it is, operation management is possible withoutfollowing procedures for satellite communications, etc.

[0017] In addition, to an operating machine in which a machinemanagement system of the present invention is mounted, a tool which canbe replaced depending on the type of operation and is hydraulicallycontrolled is fitted, the tool has an identifying means for identifyingitself from other tools, the PDA has a function to read the identifyingmeans of the tool and transmit the same to the machine controller, andthe machine controller has a function to perform controls suitable forthe identified tool.

[0018] Thereby, the PDA reads the identifying means of the tool andtransmits a tool type stored therein to the machine controller, wherebycontrol can be switched to a control mode, which is preset in themachine controller and optimal for the tool, without individuallyadjusting the control systems of the operation machine.

[0019] Furthermore, in the machine management system for an operatingmachine of the present invention, the machine controller has a functionto stop the machine and tool in a non-communicable condition with thePDA. Thereby, since the machine controller, which has becomenon-communicable with the PDA for a reason such that the operatorcarrying the PDA with him/her has left the machine or the PDA wasdetached from an appointed place, stops the machine and tool,malfunction and theft of the machine can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a machine management systemfor an operating machine according to the present invention,

[0021]FIG. 2 is a front view of a PDA used in the same machinemanagement system same as the above,

[0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operating machine used in thesame machine management system as the above,

[0023]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an information exchangingfunction between a base station computer and a PDA in the same machinemanagement system as the above,

[0024]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a reading function of a toolidentifying means by a PDA of the same machine management system as theabove,

[0025]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing respective functions forreleasing theft protection, transferring a tool identification result,monitoring, and storing operation management data between a PDA and amachine controller in the same machine management system as the above,

[0026]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the anti-theft protectingfunction in the machine management system as the above,

[0027]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the tool identifying functionin the same machine management system as the above, and

[0028]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation managingfunction in the same machine management system as the above.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detailwith reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0030]FIG. 1 shows a part of a hydraulic circuit and an electric circuitprovided in a machine 11 of an operating machine such as a hydraulicexcavator, and these circuits are controlled by a machine controller 12.This machine controller 12 comprises a central processing unit (namely,CPU), a memory, etc.

[0031] In the machine controller 12, various sensors 13 for searchingand collecting, from the respective portions of the machine 11, machineinformation concerning, for example, pressure of the hydraulic circuit,etc., temperature of a hydraulic fluid and cooling water, etc., andliquid levels of oil and fuel, etc., rotating speeds of an engine, etc.,and displacement amount of the movable portions are provided, and afunction for totaling operating hours of the machine 11 is provided.

[0032] The machine controller 12 is communicable, and counter to thismachine controller 12, a compact PDA 14 which is communicable with thismachine controller 12 is installed.

[0033] This PDA 14 is, as an identification code verification means, anoperation management data inputting means, and a machine operatinginformation monitoring display device, installed in a manner carriedinto a cab as an operator's cab of an operating machine while beingcarried in an operator's breast pocket or the like, or is fitted, in acab, at a position where the operator's field of view is not obstructed.

[0034] A communications medium between the machine controller 12 and PDA14 is a non-contact communications medium 15 using infrared light orradio waves, etc., and by connecting the machine controller 12 and thePDA 14 via the non-contact communications medium 15, the PDA 14 can beeasily attached and detached without limitations in wiring.

[0035] This PDA 14 is, by communicating with the machine controller 12,provided with an anti-theft protecting function based on authenticationof an identification code, an operation managing function for obtainingoperation management data, and a machine monitoring display function formonitoring by displaying a machine condition.

[0036] In addition, this PDA 14 is also provided with a tool identifyingfunction for identifying a tool 16 which is, as an attachment, attachedto and detached from the operating machine.

[0037] The tool 16 is, for example, a hydraulic breaker, a hydrauliccrusher or the like, which is, in place of a bucket, fitted to the frontend of a front linkage of a hydraulic excavator, and on the side surfacethereof, an identification means 17 such as a barcode, therefore, byreading this identification means 17 by an optical barcode reading meansconnected to the PDA 14, an identification of the tool 16 is possible.

[0038] The PDA 14 is communicable with the machine controller 12 by useof infrared light or radio waves, etc., and by being set on atransceiving cradle 18 which is a PDA returning destination connected toa computer 22 of a user's base station 21 and in which a transceiver isintegrated, the PDA 14 is also communicable with the computer 22 of thisbase station 21, and furthermore, this PDA 14 can exchange informationwith a computer 22 a of a service center 21 a in a remote place, forexample, through the Internet 19 or a communications satellite(unillustrated), etc.

[0039] An engine start circuit, a solenoid excitation circuit of ahydraulic control system, etc., are connected to an output part of themachine controller 12, and anti-theft protecting means for preventingtheft of the operating machine are provided thereon.

[0040] As the anti-theft protecting means, an engine start control means23 and a hydraulic lock control means 30 are provided, and the machinecontroller 12 is provided with a function for starting the machine 11 ata point in time where these anti-theft protecting means are released.

[0041] The engine start control means 23 is constructed so that, in theengine start circuit from a battery 24, through a key switch 25 and arelay 26, to a starter motor 27, power conduction to a coil 28 of arelay 26 is controlled by the machine controller 12, and when theanti-theft protecting function is activated, an exciting current is notsupplied from the machine controller 12 to the coil 28 of the relay 26even if the key switch 25 is switched to a start position, whereby thestarter motor 27 is not started.

[0042] The hydraulic lock control means 30 is a mechanism for, forexample, limiting a variable flow pump 32 driven by an engine 31 to aminimum discharge rate, and by controlling a solenoid value 33 connectedto the machine controller 12 so as to activate a pump flow control means34 such as a pump regulator connected to this solenoid valve 33 andthereby limiting the variable flow pump 32 to a minimum discharge rate,operations of a travelling system hydraulic motor and an operatingmachine system hydraulic motor of the hydraulic circuit to activate themachine 11, and a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder arerestricted or stopped.

[0043] Furthermore, the hydraulic lock control means 30 blocks, byclosing a safety lock valve 37 provided in a pilot pump dischargingpipe, a pilot main pressure which is discharged from a pilot pump 35 andis supplied to a remote control value 36, whereby no hydraulic pilotpressure occurs even by a lever control of the remote control valve 36,therefore, a control value 38 whose stroke is changed by the hydraulicpilot pressure does not perform a pilot operation but is maintained at aneutral position, thus making it impossible to actuate a hydraulicactuator 39 such as a travelling system hydraulic motor or an operatingmachine system hydraulic motor.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 2, the PDA 14 contains, in a machine case 41, acentral processing unit (a so-called CPU) for arithmetic processing,various memories for storing control programs and data, a communicationsinterface, a power source portion, an interface with an external device,etc., and a display portion 42 and a control panel portion 42 and ancontrol panel portion 43 are provided on the front surface of themachine case 41.

[0045] This display portion 42 of the PDA 14 uses a liquid crystalscreen and can display various types of information with characters andicons by a Dot Matrix type display, and by an operation of variousbuttons on the display portion 42 and control panel portions 43, varioustypes of information such as operation management information, machinemonitoring information, etc., can be appropriately displayed.

[0046] For example, service hours of a filter and oil or an alarm screento indicate the filter/oil replacing time are displayed, and a state ofchange in engine rotational speed, pump pressure, etc., is displayed inreal time, and moreover, operating hours of the engine 31, pumps 32 and35, and a hydraulic actuator 39 such as a travel motor are displayed.Furthermore, if the amount of engine oil, hydraulic oil for thehydraulic circuit, or cooling water is below a relevant prescribedvalue, such a machine state is displayed as an alarm, and moreover, atime, a selected hydraulic pressure setting, and a travelling speed,etc., after an oil and water level check are indicated.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, in the machine 11 of a hydraulic excavator asan operating machine, a revolving upper structure 52 is provided on anundercarriage 51 so as to be freely revolvable, and on this revolvingupper structure 52, a cab 54 as an operator's cab is installed alongwith a front linkage 53. Inside of this cab 54, the PDA 14 is not alwaysnecessarily fixed to the machine 11 and may be left in a pocket of aworking uniform of an operator 55, for example. In such a case, no timeand labor to attach and detach the PDA 14 is necessary and if theoperator wishes to check a display on the PDA 14, the operator caneasily check the display by hand by taking out the PDA 14 from his/herpocket.

[0048] Herein, the PDA 14 may be freely detachably installed in the cab54 at a position where operator 55's field of view is not obstructed.

[0049]FIG. 4 shows an information exchange example between the computer22 of the user's base station 21 and PDA 14, and the PDA 14 which hasobtained operation management data of the machine 11 from the machinecontroller 12 in the cab 54 is set on the transceiving cradle 18 whichis a PDA returning destination, and through this transceiving cradle 18,communications are carried out between the PDA 14 and computer 22 of thebase station 21, thus information is exchanged.

[0050] In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, between the computer 22 of theuser's base station 21 and the computer 22 a of the service center 21 a,communications are carried out via the Internet 19 or a communicationssatellite, etc., thus information is exchanged.

[0051] The PDA 14 transmits, when receiving, on the transceiving cradle18, a new operator identification code, which has been transmitted fromthe computer 22 of the base station 21 and is updated daily, operationmanagement data of the machine 11 received from the machine controller12 on the previous day from the transceiving cradle 18 to the computer22 of the base station 21. The operator identification code is verifiedby a controller identification code possessed by the machine controller12.

[0052] As such, since the computer 22 of the base station 21 never failsto make communication with the PDA 14 for updating the operatoridentification code, the computer 22 can return obtain operationmanagement data of the machine 11 at this time.

[0053] In addition, since the PDA 14 can return operation managementdata of the machine 11 obtained from the machine controller 12 to thebase station 21 without making communications, operation management ispossible without following procedures for a communications satellite,etc.

[0054]FIG. 5 shows an example wherein a barcode reading means of the PDA14 reads the identification means (namely, a barcode) 17 provided on thetool 16 fitted to the front end portion of the front linkage 53, and theread tool information is stored in a memory provided in the PDA 14.

[0055]FIG. 6 shows a communications example between the PDA 14 andmachine controller 12 by use of a non-contact communications medium 15such as infrared light, radio waves, etc., in the cab 54, wherein anoperator identification code which has been inputted, on thetransceiving cradle 18, from the computer 22 of the base station 21 intothe PDA 14 is transmitted from the PDA 14 carried into the cab 54 to themachine controller 12 by the non-contact communications medium 15, andonly when the machine controller 12 authenticates the validity of theoperator identification code, is the anti-theft protecting functionreleased, thus the engine is started and the hydraulic lock is released.

[0056] In addition, if tool information stored in the PDA 14 is inputtedinto the machine controller 12 by the non-contact communications medium15 by carrying the PDA 14 which has read and stored the identificationmeans (barcode) 17 of the tool 16 into the cab 54 while keeping the samein a pocket of a working uniform of the operator 55, or by fitting thePDA 14 at an appointed position in the vicinity of the operator's seat,the tool type is identified by the tool identifying function of themachine controller 12, then an optimum mode is selected fromcorresponding control modes for each tool which have been preset in themachine controller 12, and control is switched to a tool control modesuitable for the tool 16 fitted to the front linkage 53, thus, forexample, the pumping rate of the hydraulic circuit, etc., is controlledso as to become an optimum rate according to the tool 16 type.

[0057] Furthermore, operation management data concerning machineoperating conditions such as accumulated engine operating hours, coolingwater temperature, hydraulic oil temperature, fuel consumption, andself-diagnosed results, which is collected by the sensors 13 provided onrespective portions of the machine, is transmitted to the PDA 14 by themonitoring display function of the machine controller 12 and isdisplayed for monitoring on the displaying portion 42 of the PDA 14.

[0058] Now, a detailed usage example of this PDA 14 will be explained.

[0059] (1) The operator 55 detaches the PDA 14 from the transceivingcradle 18 connected to the computer 22 of the base station 21 and putsthe PDA 14 in his/her pocket.

[0060] (2) When the operator 55 gets in the cab 54 of a hydraulicexcavator, the machine controller 12 and PDA 14 exchange anidentification code via infrared light or radio waves.

[0061] (3) If the identification code is correct, starting the engine 31becomes possible.

[0062] (4) The operator 55 operates the machine 11. During this time aswell, the machine controller 12 and PDA 14 continue transmission andreception of the identification code.

[0063] (5) A monitoring item of the machine 11 is communicated from themachine controller 12 to the PDA 14 via infrared light or radio waves.If necessary, the operator 55 takes the PDA 14 out from his/her pocketand checks the contents.

[0064] (6) Operation management data is also communicated from themachine controller 12 to the PDA 14 at any time during machineoperation.

[0065] (7) The operator 55 turns off the key switch 25 or gets out ofthe cab 54 while carrying the PDA 14, whereby the machine controller 12is disabled from receiving the identification code, therefore, theengine 31 stops.

[0066] (8) The operator 55 returns the PDA 14 and mounts the PDA 14 onthe transceiving cradle 18 connected to the computer 22 of the basestation 21.

[0067] (9) The PDA 14 transmits, by the transceiving cradle 18, theoperation management data stored in the memory to the computer 22 of thebase station 21 and receives a new identification code from the computer22 of the base station 21 via the transceiver base 18.

[0068] (10) The operation management data accumulated in the computer 22of the base station 21 is, as required, sent to the computer 22 a of theservice center 21 a through the Internet 19, etc., and is utilized formaintenance, etc.

[0069] Now, actions of the above embodiment will be described withreference to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 7 through FIG. 9. Herein, thecircled numbers in the drawings indicate step numbers.

[0070]FIG. 7 shows an anti-theft protecting function, wherein thecomputer 22 of the base station 21 transmits and inputs an operatoridentification code into the PDA 14 set on the transceiving cradle 18 bycommunicating with the transceiving cradle 18 (step 1). The PDA 14carried into the cab 54 transmits, by the non-contact communicationsmedium 15 such as infrared light or radio waves, the operatoridentification code to the machine controller 12 (step 2), the machinecontroller 12 verifies by a controller identification code stored inthis machine controller 12 that the operator identification codetransmitted from the PDA 14 is acceptable (step 3), and controls, onlywhen the validity of the operator identification code is authenticatedby the controller identification code (Yes in step 4), the relay 26 ofthe engine start control means 23 shown in FIG. 1 so as to reach anengine starting condition (namely, a condition where power is conductedto the coil 28) and also controls the solenoid valve 33 of the hydrauliclock control means 30 and the safety lock valve 37 so as to reach ahydraulic lock-released condition (namely, a solenoid excited condition)(step 5), and thereby can start the operating machine, and the machinecontroller 12 controls, when the validity of the operator identificationcode is not authenticated (NO in step 4), the relay 26 of the enginestart control means 23 so as to reach an engine-start disabled condition(namely, a condition where power conduction to the coil 28 is stopped)and also controls the solenoid valve 33 of the hydraulic lock controlmeans 30 and the safety lock valve 37 so as to reach a hydraulic lockcontinuing condition (namely, a solenoid unexcited condition) (step 6),and thereby controls the operating machine so as to be unable to start,whereby anti-theft protection can be realized.

[0071] In this case, the PDA 14 and the machine controller 12 arerespectively provided with a function for communicating with thecomputer 22 of the user's base station 21, and since these are requiredto receive, by communicating with the computer 22 of the base station21, a correct operator identification code and a correct controlleridentification code, respectively, which have been transmitted from thecomputer 22 of the base station 21 and are updated daily, the operator55 sets the PDA 14 on the transceiving cradle 18 to obtain a correctoperator identification code from the computer 22 of the base station 21each day before starting operation. Thereby, the operator identificationcode in the PDA 14 before being modified becomes useless, thus anunauthorized use by copying the operator identification code can beprevented.

[0072] Furthermore, in a condition where communication with the PDA 14is disabled, since verification of the operator identification code bythe controller identification code is impossible, the machine controller12 cannot start the machine 11 and the tool 16 by means of the enginestart control means 23 and hydraulic lock control means 30, etc., andare provided with a function to stop these.

[0073] Therefore, when the PDA 14 is separated from a predeterminedposition where communication with the machine controller 12 is possible,if the operator 55, for example, steps outside the cab 54 while carryingthe PDA 14 in his/her pocket or detaches the PDA 14 installed in the cab54 and takes it outside the cab 54, the machine 11 and tool 16automatically stop, thus malfunction and theft can be prevented.

[0074]FIG. 8 shows a tool identifying function. To the operatingmachine, a tool 16 which can be replaced depending on the type ofoperation and is hydraulically controlled is fitted, and since this tool16 is provided with an identifying means 17 such as a barcode foridentifying itself from other tools, when this tool 16 is replaced (YESin step 7), the identifying means 17 of the tool 16 is read out by thePDA 14 taken out from the cab 54 and the tool information is stored inthe memory of the PDA 14 (step 8), this PDA 14 is carried into the cab54 and is made communicable to the machine controller 12 while beingkept on the operator, or is made communicable to the machine controller12 by being installed at a predetermined position in the cab 54 (step9), the tool information is transmitted from the PDA 14 to the machinecontroller 12 (step 10), the machine controller 12 is, based on the toolinformation, switched to an optimum control mode preset in the machinecontroller 12 (step 11), therefore, it is unnecessary to individuallyadjust the control systems of the operating machine.

[0075] For example, at the time of replacement of the tool 16, themachine controller 12 selects, based on the tool information from thePDA 14, one optimum feature from a plurality of pump controllingfeatures corresponding to a plurality of types of preset tools 16, andcontrols a flow rate of the hydraulic circuit, etc., based on theselected pump features.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 9, since the machine controller 12 contains, inthe memory, operation management data collected from the sensors 13 ofthe machine 11, this operation management data of the machine controller12 is transmitted to the PDA 14 inside the cab 54 via infrared light orradio waves and is stored in the memory of the PDA 14 (step 12). ThisPDA 14 is carried back and installed on the transceiving cradle 18 to beconnected to the computer 22 of the base station 21 (step 13), the PDA14 transmits, in a communication for obtaining a new modified operatoridentification code from the computer 22 of the base station 21,operation management data of the machine 11 received from the machinecontroller 12 to the computer 22 of the base station 21 (step 14). Aftercompletion of the operator identification code reception and operationmanagement data transmission (YES in step 15), a communications endingprocess can be carried out (step 16).

[0077] As such, for updating the operator identification code, the PDA14 must communicate with the computer 22 of the base station 21 withoutfail, so the base station 21 can securely obtain operation managementdata of the machine 11, which the PDA 14 has received from the machinecontroller 12.

[0078] Now, the characteristics described in the above will becollectively enumerated.

[0079] By connecting the machine controller 12 and the PDA 14 via thenon-contact communications medium 15 such as infrared light or radiowaves, attachment and detachment of the PDA 14 becomes easy.

[0080] The identification means 17 indicated on the tool 16 by a barcodeor the like is read by the PDA 14, and the tool information can bestored.

[0081] The PDA 14 transmits tool information to the machine controller12 and can, based thereon, automatically switch over tool controllingmethods by the machine controller 12.

[0082] An operator identification code is transmitted from the PDA 14 tothe machine controller 12 by the communications medium 15 such asinfrared light or radio waves and this operator identification code isverified by a controller identification code of the machine controller12, whereby theft prevention can be realized.

[0083] If the PDA 14 is removed from an appointed place, since theoperator identification code cannot be verified, the machine 11 stopsand the tool 16 also stops. Therefore, malfunction of the machine 11 canbe prevented and theft can be prevented.

[0084] By returning the PDA 14 which has received operation managementdata of the machine 11 from the machine controller 12 and stored thedata to the place (place where the transceiving cradle 18 exists) wherecommunications with the user's base station 21 are possible, operationmanagement data of the machine 11 can be substantially returned to thebase station 21, therefore, operation management is possible withoutfollowing procedures for a communications satellite, etc.

[0085] The operator identification code cannot be modified to a correctoperator identification code unless it is modified daily and the PDA 14is connected to the computer 22 of the base station 21. Thereby, the PDA14 is prevented from being copied.

[0086] For updating the operator identification code, the PDA 14 mustmake communication with the computer 22 of the base station 21 withoutfail, therefore, in this communication, the base station 21 can securelyobtain operating management data of the machine 11, which the PDA 14 hasreceived from the machine controller 12.

[0087] Since the PDA 14 communicates with the machine controller 12 bymeans of the non-contact communications medium 15 such as infrared lightor radio waves, limitations concerning the installation location whenbeing installed in the cab 54 are hardly imposed thereon. Therefore, thePDA 14 can be installed at an arbitrary position in the cab 54 where thefield of view is not obstructed, or can be used in a condition where thePDA 14 has been carried into the cab 54 while being kept in, forexample, a breast pocket of the working uniform of the operator 55.

[0088] In the case where the PDA 14 is used in a condition where the PDA14 has been carried into the cab 54 while being kept in, for example, apocket of the operator 55, if the operator steps outside the cab 54while carrying the PDA 14 with him/her, the machine controller 12 cannotreceive an identification code and verification of the identificationcodes becomes impossible, therefore, the engine 31 and hydraulic circuitstop and do not restart. Thereby, malfunction of the machine 11 and tool16 can be prevented and theft of the machine 11 can be prevented.

[0089] As in the above, by using the intelligent PDA 14, all functionsof the anti-theft protecting function, tool identifying function,operation managing function, and machine monitoring display function canbe carried out in an integrated manner, therefore, time, labor andexpenses required to install the same can be reduced and handlingthereof are not decentralized and can be easily carried out by one PDA14.

Industrial Applicability

[0090] This machine management system can be applied not only to machinemanagement of a hydraulic excavator but also to machine management ofother operating machines such as, for example, a bulldozer and a loader.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine management system for an operatingmachine comprising: a communicable machine controller for controlling amachine of an operating machine, and a personal digital assistant (PDA)which is communicable with this machine controller and has, bycommunicating with the machine controller, at least an anti-theftprotecting function based on verification of an identification code, anoperation managing function for obtaining operation management data, anda machine monitoring display function for monitoring by displaying amachine condition.
 2. A machine management system for an operatingmachine as set forth in claim 1 having a non-contact communicationsmedium as a communications medium between a machine controller and aPDA.
 3. A machine management system for an operating machine as setforth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the operating machine has anoperator's cab, and the PDA becomes communicable with the machinecontroller by entrance of a machine operator who carries the PDA withhim/her inside the operator's cab.
 4. A machine management system for anoperating machine as set forth in any of claim 1 through claim 3,wherein the machine controller has a function to start the operatingmachine only when an operator identification code transmitted from thePDA by an operating machine operator is authenticated by a controlleridentification code stored in the machine controller.
 5. A machinemanagement system for an operating machine as set forth in claim 4,wherein the PDA has a function to communicate with a computer of a basestation and obtains a modified operator identification code from thecomputer of the base station.
 6. A machine management system for anoperating machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein the machinecontroller has a function to store operation management data collectedfrom the machine and transmit the same to the PDA, and the PDA has afunction to transmit, in a communication to obtain a modified operatoridentification code from the computer of the base station, the operationmanagement data of the machine received from the machine controller tothe computer of the base station.
 7. A machine management system for anoperating machine as set forth in any of claim 1 through claim 6,wherein the PDA makes it possible to carry the operation management dataof the machine obtained from the machine controller.
 8. A machinemanagement system for an operating machine as set forth in any of claim1 through claim 7, wherein a tool which can be replaced depending on thetype of operation and is hydraulically controlled is fitted to theoperating machine, the tool has an identifying means for identifyingitself from others, the PDA has a function to read the identifying meansof the tool and transmit the same to the machine controller, and themachine controller has a function to perform controls suitable for theidentified tool.
 9. A machine management system for an operating machineas set forth in claim 8, wherein the machine controller has a functionto stop the machine and tool in a non-communicable condition with thePDA.